Advertise on podcast: Mental Health Trailblazers: Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up

Dr. Eugenia Flores Millender traces a path from a young nurse searching for her voice to a force reshaping psychiatric-mental health care. An Afro-Indigenous Latina from Panama, she brings lived experience to the front lines of innovation—championing culturally grounded care, trauma-informed healing, and data-driven solutions. Today, she is a national and international leader advancing mental-health equity, building systems that meet communities where they are, and setting a new standard for how mental health care is delivered. She calls on nurses to claim their rightful role not only as part of the conversation, but as architects, leading AI and digital-health design and shaping the systems that will define mental-health care for generations, nationally and globally. Authentic, hopeful, and filled with hard-earned wisdom, this conversation is a moving reflection on what it means to nurse the future — with courage, compassion, and purpose. Learn more about Dr. Eugenia Flores Millender at https://emfp.org/about-us/national-advisory-committee/eugenia-millender Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

From her early nursing experiences in Tampa, Florida, to her advocacy for culturally responsive and compassionate care, Nephetalie shares how listening with empathy—and asking, “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”—can change everything. Discover how nurses can break cycles of trauma, address stigma in communities of color, and bring healing to both patients and themselves through mindfulness, empathy, and advocacy. Nephetalie also discusses how technology and telehealth can integrate trauma-informed practices and what it means to “nurse the future” in today’s rapidly evolving mental health landscape. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that reminds us that every patient’s story matters—and that healing begins with understanding. Learn more about Nephetalie Jules at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/nephetalie-jules Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

Substance use disorder is one of the most pressing health challenges in rural America. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), nearly 65% of all federally designated primary care shortage areas are in rural communities, and more than 60% of mental health professional shortage areas are rural as well (HRSA, March 31, 2025). These provider shortages are persistent and growing, leaving millions of Americans without timely or reliable access to behavioral health services—even as rural communities continue to experience high rates of substance use and related harms. In this episode of Mental Health Trailblazers: Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up!, Dr. Serge Wandji, MFP at the American Nurses Association alumnus and nurse scientist, shares with host Indrias Kassaye how his early research uncovered the struggles of rural Black men living with addiction. Today, his work expands to underserved communities across the rural South, showing how untreated substance use destabilizes families, harms children, and weakens entire communities. Dr. Wandji discusses why behavioral health must be integrated into primary care, how nurses and behavioral health specialists can apply research to real-world rural settings, and the importance of community-driven, culturally grounded approaches to recovery. According to Dr. Wandji, breaking the silence around substance use in rural America is the first step toward building healthier, more resilient communities. Learn more about Dr. Serge Wandji at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/serge-wandji For more information on access to care and mental health professional shortages, visit: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-health-workforce/state-of-the-primary-care-workforce-report-2024.pdf https://data.hrsa.gov/Default/GenerateHPSAQuarterlyReport https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/nchwa/ahrf Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

From tackling intergenerational trauma with Bowenian Family Therapy, to confronting bias in reproductive health, to exploring how climate change and artificial intelligence shape pediatric mental health, Dr. Josiah is redefining what compassionate, culturally responsive care looks like. Listeners will hear how her journey from home health aide to nursing scholar fuels her passion for justice, how she’s pioneering simulation-based training for crisis response, and how her nurse-led EBAN Wellness Initiative, a community mental health program she designed to integrate nutrition, movement, and emotional wellness for children and families in underserved communities, is transforming community health from the ground up. Whether you’re a nursing student, a mental health professional, or simply curious about how we can build systems that honor culture, equity, and humanity, this episode offers hope, insight, and a roadmap for the future of care. Learn more about Dr. Nia Josiah at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/nia-a-josiah Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

Tune in as Steve discusses: How community saved his life — and how he's paying it forwardThe mental health toll of immigration-related traumaWhy culturally competent care and bilingual nursing matterWhat the U.S. can learn from global mental health systemsThe power of nursing in advocating for equity and justiceThis is more than a conversation — it's a call to action for nurses, policymakers, and advocates to lead with empathy, cultural understanding, and courage. Listen now and discover how Steve Li is nursing the future with heart, advocacy, and grit. Learn more about Steve Li at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/steve-li Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

Discover how she navigates the complexities of diagnosing and treating ADHD, anxiety, and trauma, the disparities in care that leave many children unseen, and the role nurses play in ensuring no student “falls through the cracks.” Whether you’re a nursing student, educator, parent, or advocate, this conversation is a masterclass in compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based care. Listen now and learn how early intervention, family engagement, and nurse-led advocacy can transform a child’s life — and their future. Learn more about Enyo Dzata at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/vivian-dzata  Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

From her firsthand experiences in the military to her work at the VA and Department of Defense, Monique shares deeply personal and professional insights on the urgent mental health needs of veterans, military families, and underserved communities. She opens up about how her own experiences with intimate partner violence and traumatic brain injury shaped her nursing journey—and why she believes psychiatric nurses must lead the charge in dismantling stigma, improving access to care, and making behavioral health support culturally relevant and family-centered. Whether you’re a nursing student, behavioral health professional, or policymaker, this is a must-listen conversation about resilience, purpose, and reimagining care for those who serve. Learn more about Monique Swaby at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/monique-swaby Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

Kim shares her deeply personal journey from being a young caregiver for her daughter and mother to becoming a nationally recognized nurse educator and advocate. Along the way, she opens up about confronting diabetes distress, navigating intergenerational trauma, and breaking through the stigma and shame that often surround chronic illness—especially in medically underserved communities. Listeners will learn how mental health support, community-informed approaches, and compassionate nursing care can transform lives—not just for individuals living with diabetes, but for their families and support networks as well. Whether you’re a nursing student, behavioral health provider, diabetes educator, or someone caring for a loved one, this episode offers insight, healing, and hope. Tune in to hear how Kim Kim is reimagining care, advocating for mental health for all, and building a future where no one has to navigate chronic illness alone. Learn more about Kim Kim at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/kim-kim Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

In this episode you will hear: Why so many caregivers fall through the cracks when it comes to mental health supportHow stress and trauma show up differently in different communities—and why we need better tools to recognize itWhat it means to bring faith, ritual, and spirituality into the healing processHow nurses and future mental health professionals can show up with compassion, curiosity, and cultural humilityWhat it looks like to truly see your patients—not just their symptomsDr. Starks is proof that there's more than one way to care—and that healing is about more than just medication and diagnosis. It’s about listening, respecting people’s full humanity, and tapping into what already keeps them strong. Whether you’re a nursing student, an aspiring therapist, someone who’s been through hard things and exploring your own path to healing or supporting a loved one, or just curious about what real, inclusive care looks like—this conversation will stay with you. Dr. Starks’ insights are a reminder that care doesn’t have to look one way—and that honoring the whole person is essential to helping them heal. Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season.

Listen now to discover why healing starts at home—and how nurses can lead the way in helping a generation reclaim connection and resilience.  Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season. Learn more about Dr. Vickye Hayter at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/vickye-hayter

Drawing from her personal experience navigating the U.S. health care system as a child refugee and her professional practice working with underserved, immigrant, and unhoused populations, Dr. Win speaks candidly about the mental health toll of displacement, family separation, and systemic barriers to care. She shares how screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), implementing trauma-informed protocols, and creating community-based support systems can break generational cycles of trauma and behavioral health challenges, and support family healing. From pediatric patients navigating life without deported parents to her pilot work establishing mindfulness and parenting support groups in shelters, Dr. Win details the practical interventions and policy shifts needed to make behavioral health more accessible and responsive. Her passionate advocacy for refugee and immigrant mental health — coupled with her call for self-care and sustainability among providers — offers invaluable insights for nurses, mental health professionals, and policymakers alike. As part of Season 5’s Nurse the Future theme, this conversation spotlights the essential leadership role psychiatric nurses play in reshaping behavioral health systems for a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow. Tune in for a powerful conversation that highlights the enduring strength of refugee families, the transformative power of culturally informed psychiatric care, and the critical responsibility nurses carry in building futures—one success story at a time.    Nurses can earn free Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for listening to this episode. Full details will be announced at the end of the season. Learn more about Dr. Rika Win at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/rika-w-kemp

Why You Should Listen: If you care about the mental health of young people, families, or underserved communities—or you're a nurse, student, or health professional wondering how to make real impact—this episode is your guide for purpose-driven practice. Dr. Audrey Strock’s story is not just inspiring; it’s deeply instructive. She shows us what it looks like to turn lived adversity into advocacy, how to build a mental health practice rooted in empathy and excellence, and why culturally responsive, trauma-informed care is not a trend—it’s a necessity. Listeners will walk away with: Hope: That meaningful change is possible—even in under-resourced settings.Insight: Into what’s broken in our systems, and what’s working on the ground.Fuel: To be bold, bring your full self to the table, and nurse the future.Nurses can earn free CNE credits for listening—details coming at the end of the season! Learn more about Dr. Audrey Strock at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/audrey-strock

Through dynamic conversations with visionary psychiatric nurses, we’ll explore: The rising mental health challenges facing young people and their caregiversBold, culturally responsive strategies to close care gapsThe pioneering role of psychiatric nurses leading transformative changePlus: Nurses can earn FREE Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits just by listening. Subscribe now at emfp.org, follow us on YouTube @mfpana, and join us as we reimagine what mental health care can—and should—be.   Bold voices. Big ideas. Real impact.

In the season 4 finale of Mental Health Trailblazers, Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up! host Indrias Kassaye sits down with two pivotal figures behind the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) at the American Nurses Association: Janet Jackson, Project Director, and Samuel Suraphel, Digital Program Manager. Often working behind the scenes, Janet and Samuel are the program's driving force, tirelessly steering its mission to support psychiatric mental health nurses from underrepresented backgrounds and advance psychiatric mental health care for diverse communities.   Throughout this engaging and heartfelt conversation, Janet reflects on the personal stories that connected her to MFP’s mission and shares how she helped transform the program from a state of disarray to a thriving support system for behavioral health nurses. Samuel offers his unique insights into the program’s evolution, highlighting the growing interest among young nurses in psychiatric mental health and the shift in perceptions within the field. Together, they celebrate MFP’s achievements and lay out an ambitious vision for the future, including expanding outreach to high schools, building career pathways, and enhancing digital engagement to reach broader audiences.   Join us for this inspiring episode that not only honors the MFP’s remarkable 50-year legacy but also looks ahead with optimism to the next generation of mental health care providers. As Janet, Samuel, and Indrias celebrate this milestone, they leave us with a powerful reminder: mental health care is essential, and the mission continues. Listen in to this uplifting conversation and discover the dedication, heart, and leadership propelling MFP’s mission forward.   Free CNE Credits available for listening! Don’t miss this chance to earn continuing education credits while learning from influential voices in nursing today. Tune in to this and all episodes of season 4, celebrating “50 Years: Reflect & Project!” and the lasting impact of the SAMHA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association. CNE information: An email will be sent to you at a later date with instructions on how to claim CNE credit. The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In this inspiring episode of Mental Health Trailblazers: Psychiatric Nurses Speak Up, host Indrias Kassaye welcomes Dr. Giovanna de Oliveira, an alumna of the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association and Associate Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Dr. de Oliveira shares her journey from Peru to the U.S., where she discovered her passion for nursing, inspired by the compassionate care of Filipino nurses and her pediatrician father. Over her 28-year career, Dr. de Oliveira has evolved into a psychiatric mental health nurse scientist, deeply committed to addressing mental health disparities in underrepresented communities, particularly among Hispanic populations.   What are the unique mental health challenges facing immigrant communities in the U.S., and how can nurses address them?     How are young Hispanic children and adolescents coping with the pressures of immigration, and what can we do to address their growing mental health needs?     In this powerful conversation, Dr. de Oliveira reflects on her experiences with racism after immigrating to the U.S. and how she overcame challenges to build a successful career in nursing. She candidly shares how those early encounters with discrimination shaped her understanding of cultural sensitivity and fueled her commitment to providing compassionate, culturally competent care.   Dr. de Oliveira also addresses the mental health impact of immigration policies on communities in South Florida, highlighting the trauma, anxiety, and feelings of isolation that many immigrants face. She discusses the rising mental health needs among Hispanic youth, including issues like self-mutilation and substance abuse, as well as the importance of nurses advocating for systemic change to better support immigrant and minority populations.   Whether you're a nursing student, healthcare professional, or mental health advocate, this episode offers a compelling look at the resilience needed to overcome adversity and the critical role nurses play in transforming care for underserved populations. Don't miss it!   Free CNE Credits available for listening! Don’t miss this chance to earn continuing education credits while learning from influential voices in nursing today. Tune in to this and all episodes of season 4, celebrating “50 Years: Reflect & Project!” and the lasting impact of the SAMHA Minority Fellowship Program at the American Nurses Association. CNE information: An email will be sent to you at a later date with instructions on how to claim CNE credit. The American Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Learn more about Dr Giovanna de Oliveira at https://emfp.org/mfp-fellows/giovanna-c-de-oliveira